Posted on Aug 10, 2015
Should we consider sending ROTC cadets to attend BCT instead of ROTC CIET (formerly Leadership Training Camp)?
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Should ROTC cadets attend BCT instead of ROTC CIET (formerly Leadership Training Camp)?
What cadets are prepared for ROTC and the Army?
What cadets are prepared for ROTC and the Army?
ROTC
Leadership
Training
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 36
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Agree. I'm surprised ROTC cadets don't already attend BCT. BCT would provide a solid base of experience to build from.
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MAJ (Join to see)
And not to beat a dead horse but to be a good leader you need to learn to be a good follower.
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I taught ROTC for nine years as a contractor and this question comes up a lot, even before CC added CIET. However the question is moot. TRADOC does not have the capacity to put another five to six thousand soldiers through BCT every summer.
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LTC Stephen Conway
That is too bad, Sir, they can spend billions on the F-35 on cost overruns and being 7 years behind schedule on their planes and they are cutting back on 40K active duty but they can't spend a small amount of money to train up future leaders. It is sad Sir!
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COL (Join to see)
SSG Lunebach, some would say that all officers should first serve as an enlisted Soldier. I know my enlisted time certainly gave me a different appreciation of enlisted Soldiers than my peers who were not enlisted.
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MAJ (Join to see)
No, as a former NCO, I see very little value in BCT for officers. If their respective commissioning source is not meeting certain standards, she on them.
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If that's the case then should they make direct commissions do the same? At least going through ROTC (if the program is still run the same) you get a taste of military life through 4 years of training. Doctors and lawyers and other professionals that obtain direct commissions and attend a "welcome to the military" course may not have any military experience. It's sort of like saying the inventory control manager at a warehouse has to know how to drive a forklift to do his job correctly. COL Vincent Stoneking hit it out of the park on his response.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Sir I think direct commissions already complete BCT, AIT and several NCO leadership courses?
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You cannot be a good leader until you can be a good follower. I believe sending Cadets through basic training would not only provide them with much needed training, but would also give the future Army leaders the experience of what their Soldiers go through and are taught.
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I think the fact that we are having this discussion proves the program, not process, is broken. I attended Marine Corps boot camp, not sure this makes me a better officer/leader. I do know that I hear terrible things about ROTC and have seen some questionable products.
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I was enlisted and received a G2G scholarship almost 3 years ago. I currently am entering my MS3 year. It is extremely hard to build and work on leadership skills when most of your time is spent teaching new cadets basic soldier skills.
I feel that you are a soldier first and a officer second. To train to be an officer the basic soldier skills are required.
I believe that BCT can do that and will allow ROTC to focus on leadership and not basic skills
I feel that you are a soldier first and a officer second. To train to be an officer the basic soldier skills are required.
I believe that BCT can do that and will allow ROTC to focus on leadership and not basic skills
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COL Jon Thompson
I think if you are training other cadets Soldier skills, than you are building leadership skills.
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Yes, BCT would be a fine substitute for CIET and save the Army money. There is a large expenditure of resources, both dollars, personnel, and training areas to execute CIET each summer. These assets would be better focused on the post MSIII-year advanced camp, which is the culminating event of cadet training. Half of CIET cadets never contract resulting in a zero-return on the investment for the Army. The skills that are required to start the MSIII year are a basic understanding of Customs and Courtesies, Drill and Ceremony, and Basic Rifle Marksmanship. All of the land navigation training, small unit tactics training and leadership education that they receive during their MSIII year will determine their success at advanced camp. Their growth and mentorship during the MSIV year will determine how they start out as a 2nd Lieutenant.
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COL Jon Thompson
MAJ (Join to see) I am not sure that BCT would save money. Plus, the Army would have to reserve a lot more slots for cadets to attend during the summer because most students will not want to miss a semester of college and that could have big implications on academic alignment. CIET will be a requirement for all contracted basic course cadets to attend either after their MSI or MSII years. So the Army will get its return on investment.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I've been out of the ROTC game for a couple years, since before they moved Advanced Camp to Fort Knox, but back then the Army stopped several cycles of basic training going through Fort Knox in order to allow the facilities and personnel (drill sergeants) to run CIET. The change to BCT would not require the Army to reserve a lot more slots, conversely it would result in a zero sum, as it would give those Fort Knox cycles back to the Army. Additionally it would add greater flexibility to timing for students to attend the training based upon vacation dates in their school year. If what you say is true, that 100% of cadets will now have to attend this course, as opposed to just those who desire to join after their sophomore year, then it just seems like an unnecessary waste of resources. "Training" is not important for officers. Whatever training they do need is the same as any other Soldier in the Army, which is why I advocate BCT. "Education" is what junior officers critically need. You don't get an education in five weeks at Fort Knox. In a time of constrained resources, we need to focus less on superfluous recruiting tools like CIET, and instead, cut the program and focus all of Cadet Command on executing a solid Advanced Camp.
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The truth is, they should attend both. The first two years of ROTC (MS1 and MS 2) should incorporate all training tasks in BCT, integrated with Fundemental Officer Leadership training. Anyone who wishes to join ROTC within 2 years of graduation, should go to BCT to 'catch up.'
The problem is, the MS1 and MS2 years have gotten more 'civilianized' over the years, to avoid culture class with each educational institution.
The problem is, the MS1 and MS2 years have gotten more 'civilianized' over the years, to avoid culture class with each educational institution.
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